Play 255: Some Time in Silence

CHARACTERS
ADAM, early 20s
KEN, early 20s

ADAM
Could you leave me alone for a bit?

KEN
Why?

ADAM
Does it matter?

KEN
I’m just curious.

(Beat.)

ADAM
I need some time to myself.

(Beat.)

KEN
I have a lot of work I need to do.

ADAM
Can’t you do it somewhere else?

KEN
It’d be hard.

ADAM
Please.

KEN
I could just leave you alone in here and go in my room.

ADAM
That wouldn’t really help.

KEN
Why not?

ADAM
Look (beat.) I’m asking you for a favor, could you just do it?

KEN
Why is it so important to you?

ADAM
A lot’s going through my head right now and I need some time in silence to sort it all out. I just need a few hours.

(Pause.)

KEN
I still don’t get why I can’t just go in the other room.

(Beat.)

ADAM
I really need this Ken.

KEN
But if I—

ADAM
Can’t you not be so goddamn selfish for once and just do this for me?

(Long pause.)

ADAM
I’m sorry.

(Pause.)

My mother died.

KEN
Shit.

ADAM
Yeah.

KEN
I’m really sorry man.

ADAM
Thanks.

(Pause.)

KEN
You know, I have something I think I could go do for a few hours.

ADAM
Yeah?

KEN
Yeah.

(Beat.)

ADAM
Thanks.

(Blackout.)